Synonyms of speed

speed 1 of 2

noun

ˈspēd 

1

as in velocity

a high rate of movement or performance

we dashed off the remaining paperwork with as much speed as possible so we could leave for the long weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• velocity
• rate
• hurry
• pace
• quickness
• rapidity
• swiftness
• acceleration
• celerity
• speediness
• haste
• fleetness
• rapidness
• fastness
• tempo
• gait
• clip
• drive
• hustle
• precipitation
• rush
• promptness
• alacrity
• expedition
• promptitude
• dispatch
• hastiness
• precipitousness
• warp speed
• expeditiousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slowness
• sluggishness
• lethargy
• reluctance
• languor
• torpidity
• torpor
• deliberation
• leisureliness
• deliberateness
• languidness
• procrastination
• lateness
• dilatoriness
• pokiness

2

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others

that kind of old-fashioned horror movie is just my speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• favorite
• preference
• cup of tea
• pet
• darling
• minion
• beloved
• fave
• treasure
• dear
• prize
• sweetheart
• jewel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abomination
• anathema
• bugbear
• bête noire

speed

2 of 2

verb

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly

a bullet train speeding across the lush countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• race
• hurry
• travel
• rush
• drive
• fly
• trot
• zip
• scurry
• chase
• jump
• run
• buzz
• blow
• scoot
• dart
• dash
• motor
• step
• zoom
• ram
• blast
• tear
• rip
• jog
• breeze
• jet
• scuttle
• whirl
• career
• bolt
• hustle
• bowl
• course
• shoot
• rocket
• hasten
• blaze
• crack (on)
• hare
• belt
• whisk
• hurtle
• barrel
• hump
• hie
• hurl
• gallop
• bundle
• careen
• step on it
• beat it
• rustle
• highball
• get a move on
• make tracks
• bomb
• bustle
• pelt
• nip
• cannonball
• accelerate
• shake a leg
• sprint
• hotfoot (it)
• streak
• flit
• scamper
• quicken
• whiz
• outrun
• beetle
• overtake
• stampede
• step out
• outpace
• outstrip
• catch up
• scud
• arrow
• scuffle
• fast-forward
• beeline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• creep
• crawl
• drag
• lag
• hang (around or out)
• poke
• linger
• dawdle
• loiter
• poke
• shuffle
• tarry
• stroll
• amble
• slow (down or up)
• decelerate
• lumber
• saunter
• plod
• dillydally
• dally

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun speed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch, expedition, haste, and hurry. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of speed?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

Where would haste be a reasonable alternative to speed?

The words haste and speed can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

When might hurry be a better fit than speed?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

How does the noun speed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch, expedition, haste, and hurry. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of speed?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

Where would haste be a reasonable alternative to speed?

The words haste and speed can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

When might hurry be a better fit than speed?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of speed

Noun

While Adames has above-average speed, Oliva is by far the Giants’ fastest position player. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026

Seldom will a bass strike a stickbait moving in a straight line at a consistent speed. —Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026

Verb

Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

In clips of the video shared online, Peters and his group appear to speed past the alligator in the airboat, then turn around to look at it. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing speed

• at speed
• full speed ahead
• speed (up)